Polished, with nice mouthfeel to the range of cassis, black cherry and raspberry fruit. Sweet spice fills in on the finish. Should stretch out more as well.-J.M.

This shows a lovely quality of tannins with a chocolate, berry and spice character. Nutmeg too. Full and juicy. Well done. One third Cabernet Sauvignon, one third Merlot and one third Cabernet Franc.

[55M/30CF/15CS] Vitality and freshness to smell, aromatic, freshly ripe fruit; nicely balanced middleweight wine with an attractive juicily ripe fruit at its heart framed by the year’s tannic firmness and fresh acidity; long, elegant, not too ‘crisp’ in style; refined, and harmonious and with fine length. Like many, a sort of 2008 with a bit more matter, structure, ripeness. A long term prospect. 2020-32+ [M.Schuster, Bordeaux Mar/Apr 2012]

A light, elegant-styled wine with cool mint and flowery notes intermixed with spice box, red currants and sweet and sour cherries, the dark ruby-hued, medium-bodied 2011 Les Carmes Haut-Brion reveals a pleasant, but evolved style. It will require consumption in its first decade of life.

Drink 2016-2024 A little smoky/dusty on the nose but there's also clear cassis. Powdery dry tannins. Drying. Sticks your mouth together. (JH)